Real Gone
by Tom Waits
  • Record Label: Epitaph
  • Release Date: Oct 5, 2004
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Rolling Stone
    60
    Waits retains his knack for recruiting world-class musicians... who can play like they're falling down the stairs of hell. [28 Oct 2004, p.98]
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  2. Uncut
    60
    Waits is still taking more risks than most US 'singer-songwriters' of his generation, and parts of this album rock righteously. It's just that some of Waits' musical modes... have been done before, and much better. By him. [Nov 2004, p.110]
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  3. Drowned In Sound
    50
    Tough going and very samey, both in sonics and lyricism. Even if you enjoy the basic template, you may well run out of steam before the end.
  5. Q Magazine
    40
    Some of the most awkward, unapproachable music he's made. [Nov 2004, p.128]
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Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Most Shared Album of 2004

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 34
  3. Negative: 2 out of 34
  1. Hein
    May 4, 2006
    10
    Forget all your fucked up 80s revival bands. This is the real sugar!!!
  2. PaulS
    Oct 9, 2004
    10
    I'm always saddened by the fact that so many people feel a need to define and/or review an album based on previous releases. Comments I'm always saddened by the fact that so many people feel a need to define and/or review an album based on previous releases. Comments like; "well, it's similar to Bone Machine, but..." or "Different from Alice and Blood Money, but..." I think this is because professional reviewers are somewhat unimaginative and it's easier to define by comparison than actually review the album on its own merit. Real Gone is a great album, truly one of the most unique listening experiences in years. Tom Waits maintains his title as "king-of-the-risk takers" by throwing everything up against the side of the barn and seeing what sticks. In this case, most of it does, in a beautiful, tragic and more than a little funny, way. This is a "screaming in the car" album if ever there was one. Enjoy it.… Full Review »
  3. sophiastar(israel)
    Oct 11, 2004
    10
    one more original, chaleging, smart, and highly beautifull albume for mr.waits to put in my collection! highly recomended to those who have one more original, chaleging, smart, and highly beautifull albume for mr.waits to put in my collection! highly recomended to those who have their ears tuned up the right way!!… Full Review »
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